I can't find the post again, but I read somewhere on one of these boards something about a trigger point test to diagnose fibromyalgia . My doctor said I have fibromyalgia, but she did not perform any test specifically to make her diagnosis. I got the impression she was labeling it fibromyalgia because I have been telling her symptoms for several years and she has been unable to come up with anything else.
What is the trigger point test?
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1sweed
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While what you think may be true, the trigger point test is done by pressing certain areas of your body testing you for painful areas. There are about 18 such places, like in your neck and back, hips and knees, upper and lower, and mid-back, etc... Usually it is a Rheumatologist, that is needed for a true diagnosis. However, also when all other tests come back normal then fibro is usually considered to be the cause of someones trouble.
Having a diagnosis only stops the frantic search for the reason, now the hard work begins in managing all the symptoms. Don't always figure everything that comes up now is the result of fibro, as you can still have other health problems. Manage each thing by the body part that hurts. A rheumatologist manages joints and muscles, but if it is your feet hurting see a foot doctor. Be prepared to have weird symptoms that pop in one day and disappear the next. It's the ones that hang around that need the most attention.
Hope you have a good day tomarrow.
Having a diagnosis only stops the frantic search for the reason, now the hard work begins in managing all the symptoms. Don't always figure everything that comes up now is the result of fibro, as you can still have other health problems. Manage each thing by the body part that hurts. A rheumatologist manages joints and muscles, but if it is your feet hurting see a foot doctor. Be prepared to have weird symptoms that pop in one day and disappear the next. It's the ones that hang around that need the most attention.
Hope you have a good day tomarrow.
cinderr
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I think you might be right--when they can't think of anything else, they say fibro! There is no definitive test so they throw a fibro blanket over it. Right now gluten is the poster child. Before that was autism and before that, fibro.
Have you ever noticed people roll their eyes when you say you have fibro? Makes me mad! Do you know any men who have it? I know of one.
Have you ever noticed people roll their eyes when you say you have fibro? Makes me mad! Do you know any men who have it? I know of one.
1sweed
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There are several male members on site that have fibro. It's not just a girl thing. lol I think in some cases some doctor's pick fibro as the diagnosis when nothing else fits the spot, but once diagnosised you have something to hang onto for a while and if nothing else crops up then you might really have it. The hardest part of an illness is the management of it and it's symptoms.
One symptom is caused by others who do not believe in fibro. They see it as a excuse people use to get out of working. So eye-rolling is common, as well as, nasty comments and total disregard for other people's feelings. The best you can do is stay away from negative people. By avoiding them you avoid unneeded stress and depression.
Glad your on the forum.
One symptom is caused by others who do not believe in fibro. They see it as a excuse people use to get out of working. So eye-rolling is common, as well as, nasty comments and total disregard for other people's feelings. The best you can do is stay away from negative people. By avoiding them you avoid unneeded stress and depression.
Glad your on the forum.
There are several male members on site that have fibro. It's not just a girl thing. lol I think in some cases some doctor's pick fibro as the diagnosis when nothing else fits the spot, but once diagnosised you have something to hang onto for a while and if nothing else crops up then you might really have it. The hardest part of an illness is the management of it and it's symptoms.
One symptom is caused by others who do not believe in fibro. They see it as a excuse people use to get out of working. So eye-rolling is common, as well as, nasty comments and total disregard for other people's feelings. The best you can do is stay away from negative people. By avoiding them you avoid unneeded stress and depression.
Glad your on the forum.
Question, have you known anyone that had fibro, now say that they no longer have it?
1sweed
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We have had a few people come on the forum who said they were diagnosised with fibro, then they found out it was Lyme disease. It is possible they have both as the symptoms are a lot a like except for the rash. Same goes for Lupus, but those illnesses are proven by bloodwork.
Some tests are considered experimental as there is no real proof they will give the desired results, thus insurance companies tend to stay away from some tests and treatments.
An example of this is most older folks get cateracts. People must wait until their eye doctor says the cateract is ripe or ready before it can be removed. Reason if it is not "ready", it is considered that it is being done purely for looks like having plastic surgery and the insurance companies won't pay for it. So older folks get to a point where driving after dark is very dangerous as the cateract can cause the headlights of oncoming cars to turn into giant stars that blur vision, but must wait until a doctor declares the cateract ripe, before surgery can be performed. Kind of dumb but that is how the system works.
Some tests are considered experimental as there is no real proof they will give the desired results, thus insurance companies tend to stay away from some tests and treatments.
An example of this is most older folks get cateracts. People must wait until their eye doctor says the cateract is ripe or ready before it can be removed. Reason if it is not "ready", it is considered that it is being done purely for looks like having plastic surgery and the insurance companies won't pay for it. So older folks get to a point where driving after dark is very dangerous as the cateract can cause the headlights of oncoming cars to turn into giant stars that blur vision, but must wait until a doctor declares the cateract ripe, before surgery can be performed. Kind of dumb but that is how the system works.
I was diagnosed by a rheumatologist using the trigger point method. It is exactly as someone else described. There are commons tender or trigger spots on your body that will hurt when pressure is applied to them. I had pain in every one of them. Suffered for over a year and it took her 10 minutes to tell me what it was.
Ah yes our wonderful Canadian health care.....lets poke and prod at you do every test under the sun before we send you to a rhumetoligist ....I'm over two years in to trying to figure it out and the rhumetoligist was done in 30 mins.. Could have been a lot less stress if this was done a long time ago.
From what I have been told there are tender spots and trigger points?
My husband of 22 yrs bought me a pair of diamond studs last year for Xmas ( first gift in 20 yrs) they were worth waiting for...but I can't wear them...instant pain that radiates all through my neck into my head...just awful. So is that a trigger point? I also have wind turbines near me so in the mornings (certain times of the year) I get the shadowing from the sun...sends me for a loop dizzy more brain fog more pain..could that be a trigger or just light sensitivity?
Sorry five million questions....
From what I have been told there are tender spots and trigger points?
My husband of 22 yrs bought me a pair of diamond studs last year for Xmas ( first gift in 20 yrs) they were worth waiting for...but I can't wear them...instant pain that radiates all through my neck into my head...just awful. So is that a trigger point? I also have wind turbines near me so in the mornings (certain times of the year) I get the shadowing from the sun...sends me for a loop dizzy more brain fog more pain..could that be a trigger or just light sensitivity?
Sorry five million questions....
I am not sure in those ones tbh. Sorry. The first family doctor I had didn't believe in fybromyalgia so wouldn't send be for tests. I found a new one right away. Sad thing is it took 11 months to get in and see her
When I was diagnosed with the trigger test 20 years ago, I had all 18 points. At that time, they stated that 11 points was enough to receive the diagnosis. After months of going from doctor to doctor, it was this quick test followed by a brief consult that gave me the diagnosis. It was great to finally have an answer that explained everything.
p.s. I'm a male, so yah, it does impact us too.
p.s. I'm a male, so yah, it does impact us too.
I just seen my report today lol. When I was tested she found I had 16 out of 18 trigger points. There are 9 one each side. I know knees, just under the buttocks, side of hips, just above hips, shoulder blades, top of shoulders, neck, collar bone and base of head. I think that is all if them. Now that I think if it I haven't been able to wear earrings for a few years.
Before I seen the rheumatologist I spoke to my new gp. He agreed I had fibromyalgia but I needed the specialist to completely diagnose for insurance purposes. So sad we all have to suffer for so long
Before I seen the rheumatologist I spoke to my new gp. He agreed I had fibromyalgia but I needed the specialist to completely diagnose for insurance purposes. So sad we all have to suffer for so long
Sorry you got the fibro diagnosis...and glad you did...at least now you know but it's a crappy thing to have...I know when I got my diagnosis I was like damn(sorry for language). Actually is was a way worse word...cause I knew that this was for life..I wanted a pill to make it go away. I had all the trigger points.
Ok so now you can start to learn how to deal with it and your pains . This is a good place to learn..my symptoms and pains vary ..something one day and not the next then back again..very confusing..ask questions odds are someone here deals with it everyday.
Ok so now you can start to learn how to deal with it and your pains . This is a good place to learn..my symptoms and pains vary ..something one day and not the next then back again..very confusing..ask questions odds are someone here deals with it everyday.
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